THE SURNAMES OF THE BODO'S AND THEIR MEANINGS.

There are beliefs associated with the creation of the social groups, five regulations of the Bodos known as the Baad system , beliefs and practices associated with various birds and animals , with agriculture and the penance method. The main social groups are ; Swargiari, Basumatari, Narzari, Musahari,Gayari, Owari, Khakhlari, Daimari, Lahari, Hajoari, Kherkatari ,Sibingari, Sabairiari, Bibairiari, Bingiari, Mahilari, Ramsiari , Sangphramari, Phadangari, Islari, Ganjlerari, Bargawari, Thalirari etc.(Brahma,1992:34-40)

#Know your Boro Title meanings:-

1.Swargiari : Swarga (heaven)+ari(group) Endle describes as a heavenly folk. The priesthood dauris and ojas are selected from this class and the society entrusts the duty of worshipping the gods from among the Swargiaris.

2.Basumatari: baisamata (mother earth) + ari(group).They are known as the landlord class of people.This group is entrusted with the responsibility of solving the land problem, distribution of land, settlement of any disputes relating to landholding.

3.Narzari: narzoi (dry leaf of jute plant) + ari(group). It is believed that the person of Narzari group were entrusted with the duty to collect and supply narzoi goran(dry leaves of the jute plant during the sraddha ceremony. After cremation takes place,people chew narzoi leaves to severe relations with the

dead person. In the present Bodo(mech) society of West Bengal the people of this group use the surname Narzinari.

4.Musahari: Musa (tiger)+ ari(group)

The duty of the clan is basically to ensure the safety of the domestic animals from the danger of the attack by tigers. Some people also believed that people with magical powers could transform themselves into tigers and kill the domestic animals.

Some people use the surname Baglari , instead of Mushahari.

5.Sibingari : sibing(sesame) +ari(group)

This commodity is essential in Assam. The people who were engaged in collecting or supplying sesame were called Sibingari

6.Bingiari: bingi (string instrument) + ari(group)

Bingiari clan is supposed to have made this traditional instrument to play during the religious festivals. At present people of this community is rarely found.

7.Gayari: Gay (areca)+ari(group)

This group of people were traditionally associated with the planting of areca trees.

8.Owari: Owa (bamboo) +ari (group)

They are believed to have planted bamboo trees for the first time. Large quantities of bamboo were collected by this group for the elaborate festivals like Kherai and Garja.

9.Khakhlari: Khankhala(a plant) +ari(group)

A long grass like plant which is used during the Kherai festival . The belief is that people of this group were engaged to collect Khangkhala plant for the Kherai festival.

10.Daimari; daima(big river)+ari (group)

It is understood that some people who lived by the banks of the river got their livelihood by fishing. People also used to float down logs in the river to the towns or market centre where wood was sold. These people got their name Daimari also because they were suppliers of books.

11.Lahari: lai(leaves) +ari (group)

These were the people who collected leaves in large quantities for the festival.

12.Hajoari: hajo(hill) + ari (group)

It is probable that the name of the clan was derived from the habitat. People who lived in the hills or the foothills might have been called Hajoari.

13.Kher Katari ; kherkata(cutting of thatch) + ari(group).The people of this group are very few in number. The people of this clan are generally found in the districts of Kamrup in Assam.